In a troubling incident, an IAS officer in Kerala, K Gopalakrishnan, has reported that his personal WhatsApp number was hacked and misused to create a religious group, with him mistakenly listed as the admin. He has filed a formal complaint with the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner, seeking an investigation into the matter.
Sources close to the officer reveal that the unauthorized WhatsApp group was labeled as a Hindu community group and included members from various religious backgrounds. Gopalakrishnan discovered the group’s existence after being alerted by a friend and promptly filed a complaint, leading to the group’s disbandment.
This incident raises significant concerns about community divisions within the civil service. The WhatsApp groups reportedly had names like ‘Mallu Hindu officers’ and ‘Mallu Muslim officers,’ highlighting potential fragmentation. Gopalakrishnan clarified that he had not added any members to these groups and only learned of them after the fact.
In response to the situation, Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeeve announced that the state government will conduct a thorough investigation. Describing the incident as “serious,” Rajeeve emphasized the implications for maintaining a diverse and inclusive civil service.
“The government will look into this matter. There is a general code of conduct for IAS officers under the Public Administration department. We are currently reviewing the situation to determine necessary actions,” Rajeeve stated to reporters in Delhi.
This incident underscores the vulnerability of personal information in today’s digital age and highlights the urgent need for robust security measures to prevent such breaches. As the investigation progresses, it will be essential to uncover the motives behind the hacking and assess its impact on the officer’s personal and professional life. Furthermore, this situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fostering unity and inclusivity within the civil service, ensuring that all officers are treated equally, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
